Print order/delivery system and method, digital camera, client information registration device, ordering terminal, and printing system

ABSTRACT

A print order/delivery system and method, a digital camera, a client information registration device, an ordering terminal, and a printing system, wherein a previously assigned unique identification data is stored on the user side, and the user is registered such that the user is associated with the identification data, and pictorial data is transmitted to the print-order receiving side along with the identification data and order data, and then, on the print-order receiving side, the picture based on the supplied pictorial data is printed on the basis of the order data, and the orderer is recognized out of the registered users on the basis of the supplied identification data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a print order/delivery system and method, adigital camera, a client information registration device, an orderingterminal, and a printing system, and more particularly, is suitablyapplied to, for instance, an order/delivery system of a digital print.

2. Description of the Related Art

According to the conventional method, when giving an order for a printof a silver film photograph, one takes a film with which a shooting hasbeen performed along to a window of a print shop and such, so as to makea request of developing and printing, and then goes to there in order toaccept the printed photograph after the specified date.

Recently, a digital camera, which takes in a picture electronically, hasappeared, and so such aspect of print service is being performed that arecording medium such as a memory card and a floppy disk on whichpictorial data has been recorded or a digital camera itself is carriedin the window of a print shop and such.

By the way, according to such conventional method, there is atroublesome problem that the orderer is required to go to the window ofa print shop and the like no less than two times so as to give the orderfor prints and to receive them.

Besides, in recent years, a colour printer for use at home has come intowidespread use; however, when a large quantity of printing is to beperformed, it requires considerable time and effort, and, in a fewcases, the cost of a printer and a print material becomes a largeburden.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of the invention is to provide aprint order/delivery system and method, a digital camera, a clientinformation registration device, an ordering terminal, and a printingsystem capable of rendering a print order easier.

The foregoing objects and other objects of the invention have beenachieved by the provision of a print order/delivery system whichcomprises: a storage means for storing identification data; aregistration means for registering the user in such a way as toassociate him with the identification data; an ordering means fortransmitting pictorial data to the print order receiving side along withthe identification data and order data; and a user management means forrecognizing the orderer out of the registered users, on the basis of theidentification data which is transmitted from the ordering means.

As the result of this, in this print order/delivery system, the ordererof a print is able to give an order via the ordering means without goingto the window of a print shop and such, therefore, the burden on theorderer can be reduced. Besides, in this print order/delivery system, atthe time of giving the order for a print, the previously assignedidentification data is transmitted to the print order receiving sidealong with the pictorial data and the order data, therefore, the ordereris able to give the order for a print through a simple procedure, and sothe burden on the orderer of a print can be further reduced.

Besides, the present invention provides a print order/delivery methodwhich comprises the steps of: storing previously assigned uniqueidentification data which is performed on the user side, and registeringthe user in such a way as to associate him with the identification data;transmitting pictorial data to the print order receiving side along withthe identification data and order data; and recognizing the orderer outof the registered users on the basis of the supplied identificationdata, and delivering the resulted print of the picture to the veryorderer, which are performed on the print order receiving side.

As the result of this, according to this print order/delivery method,the orderer of a print is able to give an order via the ordering meanswithout going to the window of a print shop and such, therefore, theburden on the orderer can be reduced. Besides, according to this printorder/delivery method, at the time of giving the order for a print, thepreviously assigned identification data is transmitted to the printorder receiving side along with the pictorial data and the order data,therefore, the orderer is able to give the order for a print through asimple procedure, and so the burden on the orderer of a print can befurther reduced.

Further, the present invention provides a digital camera comprising astorage means for storing unique identification data previously assignedto the digital camera.

As a result, according to this digital camera, recognition can beperformed on the basis of the identification data stored in the storagemeans.

Still further, the present invention provides a client informationregistration device comprising an identification data assigning meansfor previously assigning unique identification data to a digital camera.

As a result, according to this client information registration device,the digital camera can be recognized on the basis of the identificationdata assigned by the identification data assigning means.

Furthermore, the present invention provides an ordering terminal devicecomprising a data inputting means for inputting pictorial data of thepicture and the identification data from a digital camera which ispreviously assigned unique identification data.

As a result, according to this ordering terminal device, it is possibleto determine from which digital camera the pictorial data is inputted onthe basis of the inputted identification data.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a printing system forprinting a picture taken by a digital camera having identification datapreviously assigned comprising: a receiving means for receivingidentification data and user information transmitted from a registrationmeans side which registers a user associated with the identificationdata or receiving pictorial data of the picture, the identification dataand order data transmitted from a print ordering side; a printing meansfor printing a picture based on the pictorial data on the basis of thereceived order data; and a user management means for recognizing theorderer out of the registered users on the basis of the receivedidentification data.

As a result, according to this printing system, an orderer of a printcan be recognized easily and accurately.

The nature, principle and utility of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts aredesignated by like reference numerals or characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printorder/delivery system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital stillcamera according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a registrationdevice;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a client computer;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an order panel;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a dedicatedterminal device;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a user managementand order receiving computer;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram used for explaining the other embodiment;and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram used for explaining the other embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Preferred embodiments of this invention will be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings:

(1) Configuration of Print Order/Delivery System of the Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1, a print order/delivery system of the embodimentgenerally designated as 1 is comprised of a registration device 3 forassigning a unique identification code to a digital still camera 2, aclient computer 4 and a dedicated terminal device 5 which are utilizedfor giving an order for a print of a picture taken in electronically bythe digital still camera 2, and a user managing and order receivingcomputer 7 of a print order receiving side system division 6 placed onthe print order receiving side, which are connected to each other via anetwork 8 such as a telephone line network or the Internet.

In this case, the digital still camera 2 is adapted to communicatingwith the registration device 3, the client computer 4, and the dedicatedterminal device 5, by the use of the stated communication mode, such asthe Institute Electrical and Electronics Engineer (IEEE), the UniversalSerial Bus (USB), infrared communication, and wireless communication,and adapted to transferring the pictorial data which has been obtainedby picture-taking to the client computer 4 or the dedicated terminaldevice 5 in accordance with a data transfer request sent from the clientcomputer 4 or the dedicated terminal device 5.

Besides, the registration device 3 is placed on a distributor and suchof a digital still camera 2, and adapted to assigning a uniqueidentification code to a digital still camera 2. In addition, theregistration device 3 is adapted to inputting the required variousinformation (hereinafter, this is referred to as user information) suchas the name, the address, and the telephone number of the user of thedigital still camera 2, and the account number of a bank or a postoffice, and sends the inputted user information data to the usermanaging and order receiving computer 7 of the print order receivingside system division 6 via the network 8.

The client computer 4 is an ordinary personal computer which belongs to,for instance, the user of the digital still camera 2, and the statedprogram for giving an order to a print dealer (hereinafter, this isreferred to as a print order program) has been previously installedtherein.

This print order program has been obtained and downloaded through acommunication with the user managing and order receiving computer 7 ofthe print order receiving side system division 6. And, on the basis ofthis print order program, the client computer 4 is able to communicatewith the digital still camera 2 and to take in the pictorial data fromthe digital still camera 2 along with the data of the above-mentionedidentification code (hereinafter, this is referred to as identificationdata), and also able to read the pictorial data and the identificationdata from the memory card 9 which has been taken out of the digitalstill camera 2 and then charged in a card slot (not shown).

Besides, on the basis of the print order program, the client computer 4displays the stated order panel in response to the user manipulation. Asa result of this, utilizing this order panel, the user is able to selectsuch a picture that he or she intends to give an order for a print ofit, out of the pictures based on the pictorial data taken in from thedigital still camera 2 or a memory card 9, and also able to select thenumber of the print sheets, the print size, the type of the printingpaper and the like with respect to the very picture.

And, the data of the order contents which has been inputted in thismanner (hereinafter, this is referred to as the order data) is sent tothe user managing and order receiving computer 7 of the print orderreceiving side system division 6, via the network 8, along with thecorresponding pictorial data and the identification data.

On the other hand, the dedicated terminal device 5, which is placed on aconvenience store and such, is adapted to communicating with the digitalstill camera 2 and to taking in the pictorial data which has beenobtained by picture-taking from the digital still camera 2 along withthe identification data, and also adapted to reading the pictorial dataand the identification data from the memory card 9 which has been takenout of the digital still camera 2 and then charged in a card slot (notshown).

And, the dedicated terminal device 5 displays the order panel based onthe above-mentioned print order program which has been previouslyinstalled, in response to the manipulation of the user; and then itsends the order data, which is comprised of the data of the ordercontents inputted utilizing the order panel, to the user managing andorder receiving computer 7 of the print order receiving side systemdivision 6, along with the pictorial data and the identification datawhich have been obtained by communication with the digital still camera2 or by reading out of the memory card 9, via the network 8.

The print order receiving side system division 6 is comprised of theuser managing and order receiving computer 7, a mail destination printer10, a receipt printer 11, and a printing division 14; the printingdivision 14 is, in turn, comprised of a printing control computer 12 anda plural number of picture printers 13 ₁ to 13 _(n).

In this case, the user managing and order receiving computer 7sequentially registers user information data, which are given from theregistration device 3 via the network 8, on a database for user-managingpurpose (hereinafter, this is referred to as a user-managing database),in such a way as to associate them with their correspondingidentification codes.

Besides, if order data has been given from the client computer 4 or thededicated terminal device 5 after this, the user managing and orderreceiving computer 7 sends the pictorial data which is transferredtogether with the very order data to the printing control computer 12 ofthe printing division 14.

And, the printing control computer 12 exposes the supplied pictorialdata to the stated signal processing as necessary, sends the resultedpictorial data to one of the picture printers 13 ₁ to 13 _(n). which isunused at that time, and causes it to print a picture based on the verypictorial data hereby.

Besides, the user managing and order receiving computer 7 recognizes theuser who has given the order for the print, on the basis of theidentification code which is given together with the order data and theuser-managing database, and then causes the mail destination printer 10to print the mail destination such as the name and the address of thevery user on an envelope.

Besides, the user managing and order receiving computer 7 calculates thecharge of the print on the basis of the order data, and then, on thebasis of the result of the calculation, requests the banking organ topull down the charge from the account of the user who has given theorder for the print; on the other hand, it causes the receipt printer 11to print the receipt based on the result of the calculation of the printcharge.

So, the print dealer enters the photograph which has been printed by thepicture printers 13 ₁ to 13 _(n). in an envelope on which the maildestination has been printed by the mail destination printer 10, alongwith the receipt which has been printed by the receipt printer 11, andthen delivers the printed photograph through the post.

Thus, in this print order/delivery system 1, the user who intends togive an order for a print is able to give the order for a print of thepicture which has been taken utilizing the digital still camera 2 andreceive it, without going to the stated window.

(2) Detail Configuration of Each Device

(2-1) Configuration of Digital Still Camera 2

At here, the digital still camera 2 has a configuration shown in FIG. 2,gathers the optical image of an object on the light-receiving surface ofa Charge Coupled Device (CCD) 21 via a lens 20, effects photoelectricconversion of the optical image with the CCD 21, and sends the resultedimage signal S1 to an analog-to-digital conversion circuit 22.

The analog-to-digital conversion circuit 22 effects digital conversionof the image signal S1, and sends the resulted image data D10 to adigital signal processor 23. The digital signal processor 23 applies thestated signal processing to the image data D10, and sends the resultedpictorial data D11 to a picture display division 24 which is comprisedof a liquid crystal displaying panel and such, so as to cause it todisplay the picture based on the very pictorial data D11.

Besides, the digital signal processor 23 sends the pictorial data D11 toalso a Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group (JPEG) encoder 25. Atthis time, to the JPEG encoder 25, an encode instruction C1 is givenfrom a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 28 at the instant when the user hasperformed pressing manipulation of a shutter button 27 (FIG. 1) of acontrol panel 26.

Then, the JPEG encoder 25 stores the pictorial data D11 of the quantitywhich corresponds to one picture in a memory 29 at the instant when theencode instruction C1 has been given, and also effects compressioncoding of this data on the basis of the JPEG standard, and then sendsthe resulted encoded pictorial data D12 to a card interface circuit 30.

The card interface circuit 30 sequentially stores the supplied encodedpictorial data D12 in a buffer memory 31, and reads out the data at thestated timing, so as to store the data in the corresponding storage areaof a memory in the memory card 9, sequentially.

In this way, this digital still camera 2 encodes the pictorial data D11of the instant when the press-down manipulation of the shutter button 27has been performed, and records it in the memory card 9.

Besides, the digital still camera 2 is provided with a data input/outputdivision 32 for performing communication with a registration device 3, aclient computer 4 and a dedicated terminal device 5 as stated above; theCPU 28 and the card interface circuit 30 are connected to the very datainput/output division 32.

In this case, the CPU 28 stores the above-mentioned identification dataD13 which has been obtained through the communication with theregistration device 3 in a non-volatile memory 33 such as anElectrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) and thelike which has been previously placed in the inside of the digital stillcamera 2.

After this time, when a memory card 9 has been charged in the inside ofthe enclosure, the CPU 28 reads the identification data D13 from thenon-volatile memory 33 and sends it to the card interface circuit 30, soas to cause the stated storage area of the memory included in the memorycard 9 to record this identification data D13.

In addition, after this time, when the picture-taking mode has beenselected and the press-down manipulation of the shutter button 27 hasbeen performed in that status, the CPU 28 controls the required circuitin a manner so as to cause it to record the pictorial data (encodedpictorial data D12) of the instant when the press-down manipulation ofthe shutter button 27 has been performed on the memory included in thememory card 9.

And, after this time, when a transfer instruction of the pictorial datahas been given through communication with an external device such as theclient computer 4 and the dedicated terminal device 5, the CPU 28controls the card interface circuit 30 in a manner so as to cause it toread the pictorial data which has been obtained by picture-taking(encoded pictorial data D12) from the memory card 9 along with theidentification data D13, and to send this to the partner of thecommunication (the client computer 4 or the dedicated terminal device 5)via the data input/output division 32.

Thus, the digital still camera 2 is adapted to sending the pictorialdata which has been obtained by picture-taking (encoded pictorial dataD12) to the partner of the communication along with the identificationdata D13, in response to the request sent from the client computer 4 orthe dedicated terminal device 5.

(2-2) Configuration of Registration Device 3

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the configuration of theregistration device 3 is such that a CPU 40, a network interface circuit41, a display processing division 42, a manipulating division 43, and adata sending division 44 are connected to each other via a bus 45, and adisplay unit 46 is connected to the display processing division 42.

In this case, when the inputting mode of the user information has beenselected after the digital still camera 2 has been set to the statedstatus, the CPU 40 controls the display processing division 42 in amanner so as to cause it to display the stated registration screen whichis used for inputting the user information such as the name, theaddress, the telephone number and the account number of the user on thedisplay unit 46.

And, when the manipulating division 43 has been manipulated in thisstatus and the required user information such as the user's name hasbeen inputted hereby and, after this, the registration request has beengiven, the CPU 40 transfers the user information D20 to the usermanagement and order receiving computer 7 of the print order receivingside system division 6 along with the user registration request via thenetwork interface division 41.

Besides, the CPU 40 gives the identification data D13 which is givenfrom the user management and order receiving computer 7 of the printorder receiving side system division 6 as the result of this to thedigital still camera 2 via the data outputting division 44, and causesit to store this.

Thus, the registration device 3 is adapted to assigning anidentification code to a digital still camera 2, and to registering auser in such a way as to associate him with the very identificationcode.

(2-3) Configuration of Client Computer 4

As shown in FIG. 4, the configuration of the client computer 4 is suchthat a CPU 50, a ROM 51, a RAM 52, a network interface circuit 53, aSmall Computer System Interface (SCSI) interface circuit 54, a displayprocessing division 55, a card interface circuit 56, a data input/outputdivision 57 and interface circuits 58 and 59 are connected to each othervia a bus 60, and a hard-disk drive 61, a display unit 62, a mouse 63and a keyboard 64 are respectively connected to the SCSI interfacecircuit 54, the display processing division 55, the interface circuit 58and the interface circuit 59.

In this case, when the command for capturing pictorial data from thedigital still camera 2 has been given by manipulation of the mouse 63 orthe keyboard 64, the CPU 50 sends the transfer request of the pictorialdata to the digital still camera 2 via the data input/output division 57so as to cause the digital still camera 2 to transfer the encodedpictorial data D12 and the identification data D13 as stated above, orreads out the encoded pictorial data D12 and the identification data D13from the memory card 9 which has been taken out of the digital stillcamera 2 and then charged in the card slot (not shown), via the cardinterface circuit 56.

And, by giving the encoded pictorial data D12 and the identificationdata D13, which have been obtained in this manner, to the hard-diskdrive 61 via the SCSI interface circuit 54, the CPU 50 records theencoded pictorial data D12 and the identification data D13 on the statedarea of a hard disk included in the hard-disk drive 61.

Besides, when such an instruction that the above-mentioned print orderprogram has to be downloaded has been given from the print dealer on thebasis of manipulation of the mouse 63 or the keyboard 64, the CPU 50sends the transfer request of its data (hereinafter, this is referred toas print order program data) D21 to the user management and orderreceiving computer 7 of the print order receiving side system division6, via the network interface circuit 53.

And, via the data input/output division 57, the CPU 50 captures theprint order program data D21 which has been transferred, as a result ofthis, from the user management and order receiving computer 7 of theprint order receiving side system division 6, and then stores it in theRAM 52.

And, the CPU 50 sends the pictorial data for the order panel, which isincluded in this captured print order program data D21, to the displayprocessing division 55, so as to cause the display unit 62 to displaysuch an order panel 70 based on the very pictorial data as that which isshown in FIG. 5.

In this case, this order panel 70 displays a data transferring window71, as well as thumb nail pictures 72A to 72D of the respective pictureswhich have been captured from the digital still camera 2 or the memorycard 9 and stored on the hard-disk drive 61.

And, the user is able to select such a picture that he or she wishes togive an order for a print of it, by dragging the thumb nail picture 72Ato 72D of such a picture that he wishes to give an order for a print ofit, out of the respective thumb nail pictures 72A to 72D which aredisplayed in the order panel 70, and then dropping this into atransferring box 73 included in the data transferring window 71, througha mouse manipulation, or by clicking a file-name inputting field 74through a mouse manipulation, and then inputting the file-name of thevery picture via the keyboard 64.

Besides, on this order panel 70, it is possible to select a number ofthe ordered sheets by clicking a number-of-ordered-sheets setting field75A and then inputting the desired number of the print sheets utilizingthe keyboard 64, or by clicking a pop-up menu button 75B of the right ofthe number-of-ordered-sheets setting field 75A to cause it to displaythe pop-up menu (not shown) and then clicking the desired number out ofthe very pop-up menu. The number of the ordered sheets which has beenselected at this time is displayed in the number-of-ordered-sheetssetting field 75A.

In addition, on this order panel 70, it is possible to select a printsize by clicking a pop-up menu button 76B of the right of the print-sizesetting field 76A to cause it to display the pop-up menu (not shown) andthen clicking the desired size out of the very pop-up menu; the printsize which has been selected at this time is displayed in the print-sizesetting field 76A.

In addition, on this order panel 70, it is possible to select a printingpaper by clicking a pop-up menu button 77B of the right of theprinting-paper-type setting field 77A to cause it to display the pop-upmenu (not shown) and then clicking the desired type of the printingpaper out of the very pop-up menu; the type of the printing paper whichhas been selected at this time is displayed in the printing-paper-typesetting field 77A.

And, after the user has selected a picture whose print should beordered, the number of its print sheets, the print size, and the type ofthe printing paper, the user is able to select such a picture that he orshe wishes to secondly give an order for a print of it, by clicking anext-file button 78.

In addition, when the selection of such all pictures that he or shewishes to give the orders for their prints and the selection of thenumber of the print sheets and the like of these pictures have beenfinished, the user would click a transfer button 79.

At this time, the CPU 50 would transfer the above-mentioned order dataD23 which is comprised of the data of the number of the print sheets,the print size, and the type of the printing paper relevant to eachpicture which has been selected utilizing this order panel 70 to theuser management and order receiving computer 7 of the print orderreceiving side system division 6, along with the encoded pictorial dataD12 and the identification data D13 of the corresponding picture whichare stored in the hard-disk drive 61, via the network interface circuit53.

Thus, with the client computer 4, the user is able to give an order forthe prints of the user's desired picture, on the basis of the printorder program which has been downloaded from the user management andorder receiving computer 7 of the print order receiving side systemdivision 6.

(2-4) Configuration of Dedicated Terminal Device 5

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the dedicated terminal device 5has such a configuration that a CPU 80, a ROM 81, a RAM 82, a displayprocessing division 83, an interface circuit 84, a card interfacecircuit 85, a data input/output division 86, and a network interfacecircuit 87 are connected to each other via a bus 88, and a display unit89 and a manipulating division 90 are respectively connected to thedisplay processing division 83 and the interface circuit 84.

In this case, when the digital still camera 2 has been set in the statedstatus, or when the memory card 9 which has been taken out from thedigital still camera 2 has been charged in the card slot (not shown) viathe card inserting/extracting slit 5A (FIG. 1) and then a captureinstruction of pictorial data has been inputted by manipulation of themanipulating division 90, the CPU 80 sends a transfer request of thepictorial data to the digital still camera 2 via the data input/outputdivision 86, so as to cause the digital still camera 2 to transfer theencoded pictorial data D12 and the identification data D13 as statedabove, or reads out the encoded pictorial data D12 and theidentification data D13 from the memory card 9 which has been charged inthe card slot, via the card interface circuit 85. And then, the CPU 80stores these encoded pictorial data D12 and the identification data D13in the RAM 82.

Next, the CPU 80 sends the pictorial data for the order panel out of theabove-mentioned print order program which has been previously stored inthe ROM 81 to the display processing division, thereby causing thedisplay unit 89 to display the above-mentioned order panel 70 (FIG. 5).As a result of this, the user is enabled to select such a picture thathe or she wishes to give an order for a print of it and to select thenumber of the print sheets, the print size, and the type of the printingpaper, via the manipulating division 90, in the same way as the above,utilizing this order panel 70.

And, after this time, when the transfer button 79 of the order panel 70has been pressed down by manipulation of the manipulating division 90,the CPU 80 sends the order data D23 which is comprised of the data ofthe order contents which have been inputted utilizing this order panel70 to the user management and order receiving computer 7 of the printorder receiving side system division 6 via the network interface circuit87, along with the corresponding encoded pictorial data D12 and theidentification data D13 which are stored in the RAM 82.

Thus, with the dedicated terminal device 5, the user is able to give anorder for the prints, as with the case of the client computer 4.

(2-5) Configuration of Print-Order Receiving Side System Division 6

On the other hand, the print-order receiving side system division 6 iscomprised of the user managing and order receiving computer 7, a maildestination printer 10, a receipt printer 11, and a printing division14; the printing division 14 is composed of a printing control division12 which is a personal computer and plural picture printers 13 ₁ to 13_(n), as stated above.

And, as shown in FIG. 7, the user management and order receivingcomputer 7 has such a configuration that a CPU 100, a ROM 101, a RAM102, a network interface circuit 103, a SCSI interface circuit 105, adisplay processing division 106, and plural interface circuits 107 to111 are connected to each other via a bus 112, and besides a hard-diskdrive 113 and a display unit 114 are respectively connected to the SCSIinterface circuit 105 and the display processing division 106, andbesides a mouse 115, a keyboard 116, the mail destination printer 10,the receipt printer 11, and the printing control division 12 of theprinting division 14 are respectively connected to their correspondinginterface circuits 107 to 111.

In this case, when the user registration request and the userinformation D20 have been given from the registration device 3 via thenetwork 8 as stated above, the CPU 100 creates a unique identificationcode, and then sends the above-mentioned identification data D13 whichis comprised of the data of the very identification code to theregistration device 3 via the network interface circuit 103.

Besides, via the SCSI interface circuit 105, the CPU 100 gives the userinformation D20 which has been obtained at this time and theidentification data D13 which has been created at this time to thehard-disk drive 113, and causes it to store them, thereby registeringthese user information D20 and the identification data D13 in a databaserelevant to the user information D20 (hereinafter, this is referred toas a user-managing database) which is stored in the hard-disk drive 113.

Besides, when the transfer request of the print order program has beengiven from the client computer 4 as stated above, the CPU 100 reads thevery print order program from the ROM 101, and then transfers this tothe client computer 4 which has given the transfer request, via thenetwork interface circuit 103.

In addition, when the order data D23 has reached along with the encodedpictorial data D12 and the identification data D13 from the clientcomputer 4 or the dedicated terminal device 5 via the network 8 afterthis time, the CPU 100 takes the order data D23 and the identificationdata D13 in the RAM 102, and sends the encoded pictorial data D12 to theprinting control computer 12 of the printing division 14 via theinterface circuit 111.

And, after this time, the CPU 100 judges whether the identification codebased on the identification data D13 which has been taken in the RAM 102has been registered in the user-managing database or not; when it hasobtained the affirmative result, it sends the printing executeinstruction as well as the order data D23 which has been taken in theRAM 102 to the printing control computer 12 of the printing division 14,via the interface circuit 111.

The printing control computer 12 is managing the operations of theplural picture printers 13 ₁ to 13 _(n) as stated above, and, when theprinting execute instruction and the order data D23 have been given fromthe user management and order receiving computer 7, it sends pictorialdata D31, which has been obtained by decoding the previously givenencoded pictorial data D12, to one of the picture printers 13 ₁ to 13_(n) which is unused at this time, as stated above.

Besides, on the basis of the order data D23 which has been given fromthe user management and order receiving computer 7 together with this,the printing control computer controls the one of picture printers 13 ₁to 13 _(n) in a manner so as to cause it to perform printing of eachpicture by the specified number of sheets, with the print-size and theprinting-paper which accord with the user's order.

Besides, at this time, in the case where the identification data D13which has been taken in the RAM 102 is already registered in theuser-managing database, the CPU 100 of the user management and orderreceiving computer 7 controls the mail destination printer 10 on thebasis of the very user-managing database in a manner so as to cause itto print the name and the address of the very user on an envelope.

In addition, the CPU 100 calculates the charge of the prints on thebasis of the order data D23, retrieves the banking organ on which theuser's account has been opened on the basis of the user-managingdatabase, accesses the computer of the very banking organ on the basisof the result of the retrieval, and requests it to transfer the sums ofthe charge based on the result of the above-mentioned retrieval to theprint dealer's account; on the other hand, the CPU 100 then controls thereceipt printer device in a manner so as to cause the receipt printer 11to print the receipt toward the very transference.

Thus, the print order receiving side system division 6 is able toperform printing which accords with the order, on the basis of the orderdata D23 and the encoded pictorial data D12 which are given from theclient computer 4 or the dedicated terminal device 5; on the other hand,the print order receiving side system division 6 is able to recognizethe orderer on the basis of the identification data D13 which istransferred and reached along with these order data D23 and encodedpictorial data D12, and able to perform transference of the printedphotograph, deriving the charge, and the like.

(3) Operation and Effects of the Embodiment

In this print order/delivery system 1 having the above configuration,when the required user information such as the name, the address, thetelephone number, and the account number of the user has been inputtedto the registration device 3 after the digital still camera 2 has beenset to the registration device 3 and set to the stated status, theidentification code would be assigned to the very digital still camera2, on the other hand, the very user information is transferred to theuser management and order receiving computer 7 of the print orderreceiving side system division 6 via the network 8, and registered inthe user-managing database in such a manner that the very userinformation is associated with the identification code.

And, when the user of the digital still camera 2 gives an order forprints to the print dealer by the use of the client computer 4, he orshe sets the very digital still camera 2 to the stated status, orcharges the memory card 9 which has been taken out of the very digitalstill camera 2 in the card slot of the client computer 4, and theninputs the required information relevant to the selection of thepicture, and to the selection of the number of the print sheets, theprint size, the type of the printing paper and so on, utilizing theorder panel 70 which is displayed on the display unit 62, on the basisof the print order program which has been downloaded from the usermanagement and order receiving computer 7 of the print order receivingside system division 6, and then he or she clicks the transfer button 79of the order panel 70.

When the user gives an order to the print dealer by the use of thededicated terminal device 5, he or she sets the digital still camera 2to the stated status, or charges the memory card 9 which has been takenout of the very digital still camera 2 in the card slot of the dedicatedterminal device 5, and then inputs the required information relevant tothe selection of the picture, and to the selection of the number of theprint sheets, the print size, the type of the printing paper and so on,utilizing the order panel 70 which has been displayed, manipulating themanipulating division 90 of the dedicated terminal device 5, and then heor she clicks the transfer button 79 of the order panel 70.

As a result of this, the order data D23 corresponding to the ordercontents which have been inputted by the user in this way is given tothe user management and order receiving computer 7 of the print orderreceiving side system division 6, along with the encoded pictorial dataD12 and the identification data D13 which are needed, via the network 8.

And, the print order receiving side system division 6 judges whether theorderer is a registered user or not on the basis of the identificationdata D13 which is supplied along with the order data D23, and, if theorderer is a user who has been registered, decodes the encoded pictorialdata D12 through the printing control computer 12, and then gives thedecoded data to picture printers 13 ₁ to 13 _(n), thereby causing themto print the pictures based on the very encoded pictorial data D12 bythe ordered number of sheets, with the print size and the printing paperwhich accord with the order.

Moreover, in the print order receiving side system division 6, the maildestination is printed on an envelope on the basis of the order data D23and the user-managing database, and the accounting is performed, so asto transfer the sum of the charge from the user's account to thedealer's own account, and then the receipt based on the very accountingis printed.

And, the printed photographs are entered in the envelope on which themail destination has been printed by the print dealer along with thereceipt, and then sent to the user by mail.

Therefore, in this print order/delivery system 1, a user is not requiredto go to the stated window at the time when giving the order for printsand also at the time when receiving them, and so the user's burdenrelevant to the ordering and receiving of the prints can be remarkablyreduced.

Besides, in this print order/delivery system 1, the identification dataD13 would be transferred to the print-order receiving side along withthe encoded pictorial data D12 and the order data D23 at the time that auser gives an order for prints, and the very print dealer wouldrecognize the user on the basis of this identification data D13 andperform mailing and billing processes; therefore, even though any clientcomputer 4 or any dedicated terminal device 5 is utilized, the user isable to make a request for printing with a simple procedure, and so theuser's burden relevant to ordering and receiving of the prints can befurther reduced.

According to the above configuration, ordering for prints is performedvia the network 8 and delivering is performed by mail, and the charge ofthe prints is paid by transferring the sum from the bank account or thepost account, since the user is able to omit going to the stated windowin order to give the order for prints and to receive them, in this way,it is possible to realize a print order/delivery system which is able tomake the ordering and receiving of the prints easy.

(4) Other Embodiments

In the above embodiment, such a case has been described that anon-volatile memory 33 has been used as the storage means for storingthe identification data D13; however, we do not intend to limit thepresent invention to such, and other wide variety of storage means canbe adopted.

Besides, in the above embodiment, such a case has been described thatthe client computer 4 and the dedicated terminal device 5, which are theordering means for transmitting the pictorial data (the encodedpictorial data D12) to the user management and order receiving computer7 of the print order receiving side system division 6 along with theidentification data D13 and the order data D23, are constructed as shownin FIG. 4 and FIG. 6; however, we do not intend to limit the presentinvention to such, and other wide variety of configurations can beadopted.

In addition, in the above embodiment, such a case has been describedthat the source of the pictorial data (the encoded pictorial data D12)is a digital still camera 2 or a storing medium (the memory card 9)which had been charged in the very digital still camera 2; however, wedo not intend to limit the present invention to such; it is possible toutilize other wide variety of electronic devices such as a scanner, adigital video camera, a client computer itself which has a computergraphics creating function. In this case, storing means for storing theidentification data D13 can be placed in the electronic devices.

In addition, in the above embodiment, such a case has been describedthat a printing means for printing the picture based on the encodedpictorial data D12 which is supplied from the client computer 4 or thededicated terminal device 5 on the basis of the order data D23 iscomprised of the printing control computer 12 and the plural printers 13₁ to 13 _(n); however, we do not intend to limit the present inventionto such; the function of the printing control division can be installedin the user management and order receiving computer 7, and the printingcontrol computer 12 can be omitted, in this way, other wide variety ofconfigurations can be adopted as the configuration of the printingmeans.

In addition, in the above embodiment, such a case has been described theuser management and order receiving computer 7, which serves, in theprint order receiving side system division 6, as a user managing meansfor recognizing the orderer on the basis of the identification data D13supplied from the client computer 4 or dedicated terminal device 5, isconstructed as shown in FIG. 7; however, we do not intend to limit thepresent invention to such, and other wide variety of configurations canbe adopted.

In addition, in the above embodiment, such a case has been describedthat the user managing and order receiving computer 7, which performsuser management and print-order receiving processing, is also used as anaccounting means for calculating the print charge on the basis of theorder data D23 and for performing the stated accounting processing (forinstance, transferring the sum between the accounts) on the basis of theresult of the calculation; however, we do not intend to limit thepresent invention to such; alternatively, an accounting means like theabove can be provided apart from the user managing and order receivingcomputer 7 for performing user management and print-order receivingprocessing.

In addition, in the above embodiment, such a case has been describedthat only print-order function has been installed on the dedicatedterminal device 5; however, we do not intend to limit the presentinvention to such; other functions such as reservation service relevantto tickets of a concert, an airplane and a train as well as mail-orderservice function can be added to the dedicated terminal device 5.

In addition, in the above embodiment, such a case has been describedthat the data such as the encoded pictorial data D12 is transmitted fromthe client computer 4 or the dedicated terminal device 5 to the usermanagement and order receiving computer 7 of the print order receivingside system division 6, via the network 8 such as a telephone linenetwork and the Internet; however, we do not intend to limit the presentinvention to such; the data can be transmitted with a wireless systemfor instance, and other variety of methods can be adopted as the datatransmission methods.

In addition, in the above embodiment, such a case has been describedthat the print dealer delivers the photographs, which are the results ofthe printing, to the orderer by mail; however, we do not intend to limitthe present invention to such; the print dealer can inform the ordererabout a convenience store and the like near the address of the orderer,and can let him go to the convenience store to receive the photographs.

Besides, in a same manner as this, in the above embodiment, such a caseas been described that the print dealer would receive the charge for theprints through transferring the sum between the accounts; however, we donot intend to limit the present invention to such; the print dealer canreceive the charge by means of the credit, payment at the time when theprints are handed over, payment for transferring the sum to the dealer'saccount, or a registered mail. In this case, in the case of payment fortransferring the sum of the charge to the dealer's account, a bill whichcan be utilized to pay the sum of the charge at the window of a bankingorgan such as a bank and a post office as well as a convenience storecan be sent, instead of the receipt, to the orderer of the prints alongwith the photographs, by mail for instance.

In addition, such a system is also preferable that the orderer canpreviously select out of such order methods and paying methods of thecharge, utilizing the order panel 70.

In addition, in the above embodiment, such a case has been describedthat the order contents such as the number of the print sheets areselected by means of the client computer 4 or the dedicated terminaldevice 5; however, we do not intend to limit the present invention tosuch; for instance, such a system is also preferable that a digitalstill camera 2 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with the respectivemanipulation buttons 120A-120E for picture selection, number-of-sheetsselection, size selection, printing paper selection, and data transfercommand, so that, by manipulating these buttons, it is possible to inputthe data of picture selection, number-of-sheets selection, sizeselection, printing paper selection and the data transfer command at thetime of print ordering, by means of the digital still camera 2, and itis possible to transmit the order data D23 that is corresponding tothese inputted contents to the user management and order receivingcomputer 7 of the print order receiving side system division 6, via theclient computer 4 or the dedicated terminal device 5. In this case, itis also preferable to cause the display unit 62 of the client computer 4or the display unit 89 of the dedicated terminal device 5 to display anorder panel 121 such as that which is shown in FIG. 9.

In addition, in the above embodiment, such a case has been describedthat the identification data D13 and the like are transferred from theclient computer 4 and the dedicated terminal device 5 just as it is;however, we do not intend to limit the present invention to such; theidentification data D13 and the like can be enciphered and thentransferred, so that leakage of the personal information can beprevented.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, such a case has beendescribed that recognition of the orderer is performed on the basis ofonly the identification data D13, on the print-order receiving side;however, we do not intend to limit the present invention to such; such asystem is also preferable that the enciphered number for userrecognition and/or the user's own personal features such as the fingerprints and the voice patterns are previously registered on theprint-order receiving side, and the enciphered number which has beeninputted via the inputting means placed in the client computer 4 or thededicated terminal device 5 and/or the data of the finger prints or thevoice patterns which have been detected by a detecting means of thefinger prints or the voice pattern and the like are transferred to theprint-order receiving side along with the identification data D13 at thetime of print ordering, and then recognition of the user is performed onthe print-order receiving side on the basis of this transferred data forrecognition. In this way, illegal usage of the digital still camera 2can be prevented efficiently.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, such a case has beendescribed that the client computer 4 downloads the print order programfrom the print-order receiving side, and displays such an order panel 70as that which is shown in FIG. 5; however, we do not intend to limit thepresent invention to such; such an order panel can be displayed on thescreen of a Web site which has been opened by the print-order receivingside, or the print order program can be distributed to the user side viaa recording medium.

As described above, according to the present invention, a printorder/delivery system comprises: a storage means for storing apreviously assigned unique identification data; a registration means forregistering the user in such a way as to associate him with theidentification data; an ordering means for transmitting a pictorial datato the print-order receiving side along with the identification data andan order data; and a user management means for recognizing the ordererout of the registered users, on the basis of the identification datawhich is transmitted from the ordering means, on the print-orderreceiving side. By this, the burden on the print orderer can be reduced,in this way, it is possible to realize a print order/delivery systemwhich can make print ordering easy.

Besides, according to the present invention, a print order/deliverymethod comprises the steps of: storing a previously assigned uniqueidentification data which is performed on the user side, and registeringthe user in such a way as to associate him with the identification data;transmitting pictorial data to the print order receiving side along withthe identification data and order data; and printing the picture basedon the supplied pictorial data on the basis of the order data,recognizing the orderer out of the registered users on the basis of thesupplied identification data, and delivering the resulted prints of thepicture to the very orderer, which are performed on the print-orderreceiving side. By this, the burden on the print orderer can be reduced,in this way, it is possible to realize a print order/delivery methodwhich can make the print ordering and receiving easy.

Further, according to the present invention, a digital camera comprisesa storage means for storing unique identification data previouslyassigned to the digital camera. By using this digital camera, it ispossible to construct the print order/delivery system which can make theprint ordering and receiving easy.

Still further, according to the present invention, a client informationregistration device comprises an identification data assigning means forpreviously assigning unique identification data to a digital camera. Byusing this client information registration device, it is possible toconstruct the print order/delivery system which can make the printordering and receiving easy.

Furthermore, according to the present invention provides, an orderingterminal device comprises a data inputting means for inputting pictorialdata of the picture and the identification data from a digital camerawhich is previously assigned unique identification data. By using thisordering terminal device, it is possible to construct the printorder/delivery system which can make the print ordering and receivingeasy.

Moreover, according to the present invention, a printing system forprinting a picture taken by a digital camera having identification datapreviously assigned comprises: a receiving means for receivingidentification data and user information transmitted from a registrationmeans side which registers a user associated with the identificationdata or receiving pictorial data of the picture, the identification dataand order data transmitted from a print ordering side; a printing meansfor printing a picture based on the pictorial data on the basis of thereceived order data; and a user management means for recognizing theorderer out of the registered users on the basis of the receivedidentification data. By using this printing system, it is possible toconstruct the print order/delivery system which can make the printordering and receiving easy.

While there has been described in connection with the preferredembodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications may be aimed, therefore, tocover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. (Cancelled)
 2. (Cancelled)
 3. (Cancelled)
 4. (Cancelled) 5.(Cancelled)
 6. (Cancelled)
 7. (Cancelled)
 8. (Cancelled)
 9. a digitalcamera which takes in a picture electronically comprising: a storagemeans for storing unique identification data previously assigned to saiddigital camera.
 10. The digital camera according to claim 9, furthercomprising: a communicating means for transmitting pictorial data ofsaid picture and said identification data.
 11. The digital cameraaccording to claim 10, further comprising: a communicating means fortaking out pictorial data of said picture and said identification datafrom a storing medium charged in said digital camera, and transmittingsaid pictorial data and said identification data.
 12. A clientinformation registration device comprising: an identification dataassigning means for previously assigning unique identification data to adigital camera which takes in a picture electronically.
 13. The clientinformation registration device according to claim 12 furthercomprising: an inputting means for inputting user information in such away as to associate with said identification data.
 14. The clientinformation registration device according to claim 13 furthercomprising: a transmitting means for transmitting said identificationdata and said user information to a print order receiving side. 15.(Cancelled)
 16. (Cancelled)
 17. (Cancelled)
 18. (Cancelled) 19.(Cancelled)
 20. (Cancelled)
 21. (Cancelled)
 22. (Cancelled) 23.(Cancelled)